Sanctuary for Families Honors Chief Judge Robert A. Katzmann and Davis Polk's Sharon Katz at 20TH Annual Abely Awards

SANCTUARY FOR FAMILIES HONORS CHIEF JUDGE ROBERT A. KATZMANN,

U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SECOND CIRCUIT, AND

DAVIS POLK’S SHARON KATZ AT 20TH ANNUAL ABELY AWARDS

Recipients Recognized for Their Commitment to Survivors of Gender Violence

New York, NY– For two decades, members of New York’s legal, civic and anti-gender violence communities have convened at Sanctuary for Families’ annual Abely Awards to honor individuals who have made a difference in the lives of domestic violence and sex trafficking survivors. Now in its 20th year, the awards, co-hosted with Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (Davis Polk) and Columbia Law School, celebrate the life and legacy of the late Maryellen Abely, one of the first pro bono attorneys at Sanctuary for Families' Legal Center. Last night, in front of approximately 250 guests, two esteemed jurists were recognized in her name: Hon. Robert A. Katzmann, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and Sharon Katz, Special Counsel for Pro Bono, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.

Chief Judge Katzmann received The Abely Award for Leading Women and Children to Safety from Hon. Janet DiFiore, Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, State of New York. Judge Katzmann is the driving force behind the Immigrant Justice Corps, a personal response to the crisis in legal representation for immigrants (including gender violence survivors) that he witnessed from the Federal bench. He was instrumental in the creation of the New York Immigration Family Unity Project and as Chief Judge, he launched Justice For All: Courts and the Community, an initiative of the federal courts of the Second Circuit to bring courts and communities closer together through enhanced understanding.

Ms. Katz received The Abely Pro Bono Achievement Award, presented by Dorchen A. Leidholdt, Director of Sanctuary’s Legal Center. After a distinguished career as a litigation partner and co-chair of the Pro Bono Committee at Davis Polk, Ms. Katz shifted focus in 2012 and became Special Counsel for Pro Bono to help guide the firm’s pro bono program. Expanding high quality, sensitive pro bono services for marginalized survivors of domestic violence has been one of her top priorities. She works closely with individual associates and supervises matters ranging from wrongful conviction, criminal appeals, immigration, education, domestic violence and family law matters.

“Chief Judge Katzmann is a social justice innovator who saw a problem and crafted a solution to help impoverished immigrants, including survivors of gender violence and human trafficking. Sharon Katz, the lynchpin of Davis Polk’s pro bono program, has generously given countless hours of her time and expertise over the course of an auspicious career to help those seeking a life free from domestic abuse. Sanctuary for Families is deeply grateful for the passion, creativity, and innovation they have both brought to their work, and is proud to honor them at the 20th annual Abely Awards,” said Hon. Judy Harris Kluger, Executive Director, Sanctuary for Families.

Maryellen Abely, an alumna of Columbia Law School and an associate at Davis Polk, was a tireless advocate for the rights of victims of domestic abuse and one of Sanctuary’s first pro bono attorneys. She died in 1995 after a long battle with cancer.

Nancy Lazar, Ms. Abely’s friend and colleague at Davis Polk, said, “Although Maryellen’s life was too short, her legacy remains large. The work that she began as a pro bono attorney for Sanctuary for Families’ Legal Center some 30 years ago has helped countless women and children escape the cycle of domestic abuse. Not only did she help expand the type of pro bono work that our firm undertook and encouraged other attorneys at our firm to volunteer their time to represent Sanctuary's clients, Maryellen made it her mission – a successful one – to encourage other law firms to join Davis Polk in offering desperately needed pro bono counsel to victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.”

Ms. Lazar added, “Maryellen would have been overwhelmed, yet delighted by the luminaries who have been honored in her name over the past 20 years. In particular, she would have been thrilled that Sharon Katz, who was a mentor to both of us, has been singled out this year for the Abely pro bono award for her years of volunteer work, including representing and advocating on behalf of incarcerated women and children."

Christina Zhang, a Second-Year Student at Columbia Law School, was recognized as the 2016 Maryellen Abely Fellow. The summer fellowship, funded by Davis Polk, allows a Columbia Law student to spend the summer working at Sanctuary’s Legal Center. Ms. Zhang was selected for the fellowship as she embodies the spirit and dedication that Maryellen Abely brought to her work with gender violence survivors. Ellen P. Chapnick, Dean for Social Justice Initiatives at Columbia Law School, delivered remarks about Columbia’s partnership with Sanctuary and introduced Ms. Zhang.

For more information on the 20th Annual Abely Awards, visit https://www.sanctuaryforfamilies.org/event/abelyawards/ or call 212-349-6009 x274.

Sanctuary for Families is New York’s leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and related forms of gender violence. Each year, Sanctuary empowers thousands of adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services.

###